Klamath Bird Observatory’s Wings and Wine Gala is back by popular demand. Come celebrate more than 20 years of KBO advancing bird and habitat conservation through science, education, and partnerships. Please help us continue our work by participating in this fundraiser.

In celebration of World Migratory Bird Day, join us as part of a global conservation community that appreciates the wonder of our feathered friends and works together to protect birds.

Our Gala will feature live music and dancing, heavy hors d’oeuvres, local wine and beer, live auction, an art gallery, a field trip, and an opportunity to convene with our KBO community. A good time will be had by all.

In 2018 World Migratory Bird Day celebrates Year of the Bird and the actions you can take to help birds; Design and Illustration by Paula Andrea Romero

2018 is the Year of the Bird. To celebrate Ashland-based Klamath Bird Observatory’s Community Education Program is fostering a deeper love for birds and a better understanding of bird conservation and its importance. KBO’s Community Education Program is part of the World Migratory Bird Day education campaign. This year World Migratory Bird Day celebrates 2018 as the Year of the Bird. As such, KBO Education Programs are focusing on the actions we all can take to help birds, 365 days of the year. Every day is World Migratory Bird Day at KBO.

KBO’s board president Shannon Rio has a passion for teaching about birds. Rio explains, “I have always loved birds, and the more I learn about them the more I understand that there is an urgent need to protect birds and their habitats.” Under Shannon’s leadership, Klamath Bird Observatory’s Community Education Program strives to teach people about birds. Shannon believes that the more we know about what we love the more we will be able protect what we love — birds.

Conservation birders visit the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on a multi-day KBO Community Education field trip. Photo by Kirk Gooding

Rio has created KBO’s Talks and Walks. Talks and Walks offers a series of classroom lectures and follow-up field trips that teach community members about birds, science, and bird conservation. Talks and Walks focus on a variety of subjects including bird identification, photography, citizen science, and conservation success stories. One of the program’s recent themes focuses on the value of the United States Wildlife Refuge System. Over 100 years ago, the Refuge System was created to protect habitats that are critical to the survival of migratory birds during their entire annual cycles (that is, breeding, migration, and over-wintering periods). Many KBO Walks and Talks highlight the nearby Klamath Wildlife Refuge Complex, one of our country’s oldest and most important set of migratory bird refuges.

The 2018 Conservation Stamp Set includes the Federal Duck Stamp and KBO’s Conservation Science Stamp. Illustrations by Bob Hautman and Nathan Trimble

One way everyone can help is to support the protection of migratory bird habitat and the science the drives bird conservation. KBO offers a unique Conservation Stamp Set that directly benefits bird habitats and conservation science. The two-stamp set includes: The Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (the Duck Stamp) and KBO’s Conservation Science Stamp. The Federal Duck Stamp is among the most successful conservation tools ever created. Duck Stamp sales contribute directly to habitat conservation on our National Wildlife Refuges. KBO’s Conservation Science Stamp builds on this success by bringing additional support and attention to their regional science-driven conservation efforts. By purchasing this set of conservation stamps, together, birders and hunters send a powerful message — “We believe conservation of non-game birds, gamebirds, and endangered species is a priority for our society.”

To learn more about and participate in Klamath Bird Observatory’s Community Education Program, or to purchase a Conservation Stamp Set, visit www.KlamathBird.org. Also, on October 7th, KBO is holding their Wings and Wine Gala at Grizzly Peak Winery in Ashland, Oregon. Please join the KBO Community for this World Migratory Bird Day event and raise your voice for science-driven bird conservation.

Klamath Bird Observatory advances bird and habitat conservation through science, education, and partnerships. We achieves bird conservation in the Pacific Northwest and throughout the migratory ranges of the birds of our region. We developed our award-winning conservation model in the ruggedly beautiful and wildlife-rich Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion of southern Oregon and northern California. Emphasizing high caliber science and the role of birds as indicators of the health of the land, we specialize in cost-effective bird monitoring and research projects that improve natural resource management. Also, recognizing that conservation occurs across many fronts, we nurture a conservation ethic in our communities through our outreach and educational programs. Visit Klamath Bird Observatory at www.KlamathBird.org.

About World Migratory Bird Day:

Word Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), formerly known as International Migratory Bird Day, is an educational campaign that is celebrating its 25th year in 2018. WMBD celebrates and brings attention to one of the most important and spectacular events in the Americas – bird migration. WMBD is coordinated by Environment for the Americas, a non-profit organization that strives to connect people to bird conservation. As a part of WMBD as many as 700 events and programs are hosted annually to introduce the public to migratory birds and ways to conserve them. Through WMBD the conservation community combines our voices into a global chorus to boost the urgent need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. In 2018 World Migratory Bird Day celebrates Year of the Bird and the actions you can take to help birds, 365 days of the year. For more information about WMBD visit www.migratorybirdday.org.

About Year of the Bird:

In 2018, we mark the centennial of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the most powerful and important bird-protection law ever passed. In honor of this milestone, more than 100 organizations and nature lovers around the world are joining forces to celebrate the “Year of the Bird” and commit to protecting birds today and for the next hundred years. Year of the Bird is 12 months of storytelling, science, and conservation aimed at heightening public awareness of birds and the importance of protecting these critical species. Each month of Year of the Bird has a call to action — a simple but meaningful way individuals can help birds. By harnessing the collective passion and expertise of bird lovers around the world, we can champion causes for birds and inspire more people to work towards proven solutions. For more information about Year of the Bird visit www.nationalgeographic.org/projects/year-of-the-bird.

To increase broad participation in this important fundraising event, we are offering an online auction that is now open. This online auction gives all of our supporters an opportunity to bid on auction items. The online auction will feed directly into the live and silent auctions that will culminate during the Gala itself. This online auction is featuring items that include a trip to New Zealand, amazing artwork, tickets to the Rogue Valley Symphony, and so much more. CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR ONLINE AUCTION. To participate create a login and begin bidding.

Also, help us celebrate more than 20 years of KBO efforts to advancing bird and habitat conservation through science, education, and partnerships by coming the 2018 Wings and Wine Gala. Please help us continue our work by participating in this fundraiser. Tickets are available online – CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY.

Great Gray Owl Framed Photograph by Mel Clements

For questions about KBO,the Wings and Wine Gala, and our auction please contact Jacob McNab at jmm@klamathbird.org or call 541-201-0866.

Klamath Bird Observatory’s Wings and Wine Gala is back by popular demand. Come celebrate more than 20 years of KBO advancing bird and habitat conservation through science, education, and partnerships. Please help us continue our work by participating in this fundraiser.

As a World Migratory Bird Day event our Gala will celebrate The Year of the Bird. Join us as part of a global conservation community that appreciates the wonder of our feathered friends and works together to protect birds.

Our Gala will feature field trips, heavy hors d’oeuvres, local wine and beer, silent and live auctions, an art gallery, live music and dancing, and an opportunity to convene with our KBO community. A good time will be had by all.

Klamath Bird Observatory’s Conservation Science Stamp is produced each year and sold as part of our annual Conservation Stamp Set. Proceeds support both regional and national conservation efforts. The 2-stamp set includes 1) KBO’s Conservation Science Stamp and 2) the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (i.e., the Duck Stamp).

Each year’s Conservation Science Stamp feature a different species that KBO studies, works to conserve, and highlights through community education programs. This $15 stamp brings attention to our science-based conservation programs and proceeds support these effort. Additionally, Conservation Science Stamp buyers are offered discounts on some KBO fee-based community education and conservation birding events.

The Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp is popularly referred to as the Duck Stamp. Why does the Klamath Bird Observatory sell Duck Stamps? Because we see birds and birding as our refuge, and by purchasing Duck Stamps birders and hunters alike directly contribute to bird habitat conservation efforts on our National Wildlife Refuges. The United States refuge system is one of the world’s best migratory bird conservation models. By buying Duck Stamps, birders make an important statement — we, a significant conservation constituent, hold non-game bird conservation, in addition to gamebird and endangered species conservation, as a societal priority. An additional perk is that a Duck Stamp provides access to National Refuges that charge admission or parking fees.

New York Times bestselling author (and birding superstar), Oregon’s own Noah Strycker, is coming to Ashland on September 23rd to help Klamath Bird Observatory and our community celebrate our love for birds and birding and to help support Klamath Bird Observatory’s science-driven conservation efforts. For more than 25 years we have been using birds as indicators of environmental well-being and the science of bird monitoring to advance ecosystem conservation in the Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion of southern Oregon and northern California. During that same time birdwatching has become the fastest growing recreational activity in the United States — birders have been fueling local economies spending $13 billion annually in pursuit of this fascinating hobby, while raising attention to the importance of birds and bird conservation to human, economic, and environmental well-being.

Noah will keynote our September 23rd Mountain bird Conservation Fundraiser at the Historic Ashland Armory. This “conservation birding” event will feature Klamath Bird Observatory’s science and conservation in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Additionally we will unveil our 2017 Conservation Science Stamp, which all attendees will receive along with a 2017-2018 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp.

Why Noah Strycker? Klamath Bird Observatory President Shannon Rio explains — In 2015, bird nerd Noah Strycker became the first human to see more than half of the planet’s bird species in a single year. I am inspired by Noah’s story and I think you will be too. During Noah’s round-the-world birding trip he was scourged by blood-sucking leeches; he suffered fevers and sleep deprivation; he survived airline snafus, car breakdowns, mudslides, and torrential floods; he skirted war zones; and he had the time of his life. Birding on seven continents and carrying only a pack on his back, Strycker enlisted the enthusiastic support of local birders to help him see more than 6,000 species.

By bringing Noah to our event we will be furthering Klamath Bird Observatory’s dedication to wildlife education, which is my personal passion. Our education connects people with birds, building in them a passion and love for birds with an intention to build a community that protects that which we love – birds. So please come hear Noah’s story and help us advance bird conservation through science, education, and partnerships.

Why science and conservation in the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument? Klamath Bird Observatory Science Director Jaime Stephens explains — The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument provides an example of how KBO’s science, when applied to decision making, has resulted in good things for birds and for the environment that we all depend on. The Monument, originally established in 2000 and expanded in 2017, is located at the crossroads of the Cascade, Klamath, and Siskiyou mountain ranges—the area has long been recognized for its unmatched biodiversity. KBO has worked with a team of scientists to inform management goals and the recent boundary expansion. Decisions informed by our science have led to further protection for species and habitats that our recent peer reviewed science identified as underrepresented on protected lands, including the imperiled Oregon Vesper Sparrow, a regional subspecies that spends its summers in the grassland habitats of the Monument.

Why conservation stamps? Klamath Bird Observatory Executive Director John Alexander explains — Each year the price of our annual conservation birding event includes the purchase of a Conservation Stamp Set. The set includes the 2017-2018 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, known as the Duck Stamp, and Klamath Bird Observatory’s 2017 Bird Conservation Science Stamp. Why the Duck Stamp? Because we see birds and birding as our refuge, and by purchasing Duck Stamps birders can directly contributing to bird habitat conservation efforts on our National Wildlife Refuges; the United States refuge system is one of the world’s best migratory bird conservation models. Plus the Duck Stamp provides you access to our Nation’s refuges. Why KBO’s Conservation Science Stamp? Proceeds from the conservation science stamp support and bring attention and the science-based programs, such as our work in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, and specific species we are working with. So please join us at our 2017 conservation birding event, the Mountain Bird Conservation Fundraiser, and put your stamp on conservation.

Klamath Bird Observatory’s Mountain Bird Conservation Fundraiser is an International Bird Day Event. The International Bird Day theme, helping birds along the way, recognizes the importance of stopover sites and their habitats. In our region the Upper Klamath Basin serves as a critical staging area for migrating waterfowl, and throughout the Klamath-Siskiyou Bioregion riparian habitats along lakes, river, and streams provide important stopover habitat for migratory songbirds. By supporting Klamath Bird Observatory you support the science that drives conservation for migratory birds and their stopover habitats.

This Saturday afternoon event will bring our community together in dialogue focused on birding and bird conservation. Please join us to celebrate a love for birds and birding and to support science-driven conservation.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER NOAH STRYCKER — Birding Without Borders: An Obsession, a Quest, and the Biggest Year in the World

New York Times best selling author Noah Strycker

In September, 2015, Oregonian Noah Strycker set a new world record by seeing 6,042 bird species in one year. His Big Year bested a British couple breaking their 2008 record by over 1,500 species. Birders around the world followed Noah’s global birding adventure on the Audubon Society’s blog. Now, Noah’s latest book Birding Without Borders chronicles his quest to break the world birding record.

Put your stamp on local and national bird and habitat conservation; all attendees will receive a Conservation Stamp Set including:

2017-18 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation [Duck] Stamp

Klamath Bird Observatory’s 2017 Conservation Science Stamp

With additional donations attendees are invited to join us for space-limited conservation birding add-on events:

VIP Reception 3:00-4:30pm: Meet featured speaker, Noah Strycker

Receive a signed copy of Noah’s Best Seller “The Thing With Feathers”

Hors d’oeuvres and no-host bar

Exclusive Field Trips on on Saturday, September 23, and Sunday, September 24

Birding with Noah Strycker and KBO Executive Director John Alexander

Great Grey Owl trip with Harry Fuller

Presidential trip with current and former KBO Presidents Shannon Rio and Harry Fuller

This May, the American Birding Association (ABA) published their 2nd Birder’s Guide to Conservation & Community. This edition of the popular Birder’s Guide series is designed to help, to inspire, and to support birders in building a better future. This latest edition features an article about Klamath Bird Observatory’s Mountain Bird Festival. We are extremely excited that the American Birding Association recognizes the Mountain Bird Festival as an avenue for conservation.

The inaugural Mountain Bird Festival received recognition in the May 2014 edition of the Birding Community e-Bulletin, a widely distributed email newsletter concerning birds, birding, and bird conservation. The Birding Community e-Bulletin is coedited by Paul Baicich and Wayne Petersen. The Mountain Bird Festival also received similar recognition in the April edition of The Birding Wire news bulletin.

Klamath Bird Observatory’s conservation-focused festival received this attention for being the first festival to provide every attendee with a federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation [Duck] Stamp. Proceeds from “Duck Stamp” sales directly support strategic wetland habitat conservation through the US National Wildlife Refuge program.